Tag Archives: Scarlett Johansson

Adventure, Animation, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016): So Much To Love…

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The Jungle Book (2016)
The Jungle Book (2016)

Many people probably love Jon Favreau because of what he’s done with Iron Man. My appreciation of the actor/writer/director/producer, etc., first began when he played Monica’s billionaire Ultimate Fighting Champion boyfriend in Friends. Then I saw him as an a**hole husband in one of my favourite comedies, I Love You, Man (2009). As great as his work was in both those roles, I didn’t really ‘fall deeply in love’ with Favreau’s talents until a ‘little’ foodie movie that he wrote, produced, directed and starred in called Chef (2014).

As you may be aware, I’ve reached a reasonable level of fatigue where superhero movies are concerned. Therefore, I haven’t been keeping up with Favreau’s work in the genre, though I did watch the first Ironman movie and maybe the second. Nevertheless, Favreau was a big part of the reason I was excited to watch the live-action version of The Jungle Book (2016). If you’ve seen it, then you already know how well the movie turned out. 

I found plenty to love about The Jungle Book. For example, Idris Elba’s excellent voice work in his role as Shere Khan, how generally well thought out the film is, the beautiful special effects, and the fact that, before this movie, I hadn’t ever taken the time to consider how animals perceive fire.

Whether you’re familiar with The Jungle Book story, a fan of Favreau’s other work or not, watch this movie because it’s good. It’s good, I tell you!

Happy Film Loving,

G

Animation, Comedy, Musical, No Spoiler Reviews

SING (2016): The Thing I Liked…

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Sing (2016), Singing & Dancing Pigs
Sing (2016), Singing & Dancing Pigs

Besides the fun clips in the trailer, I found Sing to be, unfortunately, mostly forgettable. The story centres around the numerous characters involved in a singing competition; the success of which will give the organiser a chance to save his failing theatre. 

I was moved and amused in parts, but I still didn’t thoroughly enjoy Sing because I didn’t find the story and most of the characters, especially, entertaining or interesting. I’m sure that how stereotypical most of them are has something to do with it.

Furthermore, I’m the person who usually doesn’t enjoy watching televised singing competitions. Yet, I wanted to see this because the trailer looked great. Admittedly, there’s also a part of me that didn’t buy into McConaughey’s voice and or his performance as the Koala.

Sing (2016), Matthew McConaughey
Sing (2016), Matthew McConaughey

The main highlight about Sing, for me, has nothing to do with the music. I loved the mommy piggy (Reese Witherspoon) and her ingenuity when no one else was available to take care of her piglets. I also adore her performance partner, another cute piggy. You know, the one in the red sequinned leotard and gold sequinned sweatsuit that you fell in love with, in the trailers.

You’ll very likely have a better time watching Sing if you enjoy singing competitions. If you’re not that person, I hope you like it anyway, should you decide to tune in.

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, Drama

ROUGH NIGHT (2017): New Trailer From Scarlett Johansson, Zoë Kravitz, Kate McKinnon…

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Rough Night (2017), Kate McKinnon, Ilana Glazer, Zoë Kravitz, Scarlett Johansson, Jillian Bell
Rough Night (2017), Kate McKinnon, Ilana Glazer, Zoë Kravitz, Scarlett Johansson, Jillian Bell

Scarlett Johansson, Zoë Kravitz and Kate McKinnon have a new Lucia Aniello-directed comedy.

The story centres around what happens at a bachelorette weekend getaway, after one of the attendees ends up dead.

I think it’s going to take something pretty special to experience a bachelor/bachelorette getaway movie that’s good enough to come close to the likes of The Hangover (2009) and Bridesmaids (2011).

I’m happy to entertain those who try, though. As long as the trailers don’t look absolutely terrible. So far, for 2017, we have  Girls Trip and now, Rough Night. I’m not particularly over-excited about either option, but I am willing to be pleasantly surprised.

Rough Night Release Dates: June 16th, 2017 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Crime, Drama

GHOST IN A SHELL (2017): New Trailer From Scarlett Johansson, Michael Pitt, Juliette Binoche…

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Ghost In A Shell (2017), Scarlett Johansson
Ghost In A Shell (2017), Scarlett Johansson

In Ghost In A Shell, Scarlett Johansson is a cyborg Police woman on a mission to bring down an evil computer hacker.

Juliette Binoche and Michael Pitt also star while Rupert Sanders directs.

I know next to nothing about the stories on which this movie is based. That’s ok by me because film is my medium. I want this to be a great movie and much better than Lucy (2014), the last action movie I saw that starred Johansson.

Ghost In A Shell Release Dates: March 31st, 2017 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Drama, Music, No Spoiler Reviews

HAIL, CAESAR! (2015): The Thing I Liked…

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Hail Caesar (2015), Tilda Swinton
Hail Caesar (2015), Tilda Swinton

I’m sad to say that Hail, Caesar! has proven to be quite the bore. Regrettably, I found the trailer far more entertaining than the movie.

The trailer is funny, filled with the glamour, colours and seemingly odd characters of 1950s Hollywood; all good things. I liked the fact that it didn’t give much away in terms of where the story was going or even who the key protagonist might be, and it moved at a more than reasonable pace.

Unfortunately,  a slow pace and an inadequately intriguing story that never goes anywhere are my biggest issues with Hail, Caesar! Part of the problem might be that there were too many stories trying to happen at the same time.

On the positive side, in addition to the humorous moments (the best of which you see in the trailer) what I do like about Hail, Caesar!  is the glamour and colourful attire worn by the film’s main female characters. Specifically, the characters played far too briefly by Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton and Veronica Osorio. Had it not been for these highlights, I’m not sure I’d have made it through to the end.

Hail, Caesar! (2015), Veronica Osorio
Hail, Caesar! (2015), Veronica Osorio

Overall, I think I’d have much preferred to see only the funny moments in this movie; something like a Saturday Night Live comedy sketch format. An outrageous suggestion I’m sure, but I really was hoping for more from a Coen brothers written/directed film. I guess I’ll always shave the costumes and glamour.

Needless to say, Hail, Caesar! is not my favourite film by the Coens. That title will probably always belong to the excellent, No Country For Old Men (2007), a  movie I’ll continue to recommend forever more.

Happy Film Loving,

G